SIX months since SSI steelworks was closed hundreds of people have been helped into work or training, but more than a quarter are still unemployed and there are fears the taxpayer will be asked to foot a massive clean-up bill.

The £50m crisis fund that was set up by the Government to help people affected by the closure of Redcar plant has helped create and safeguard 724 jobs.

Of the 2,066 steel plant workers and almost 1,000 supply chain staff who lost their jobs when SSI UK was liquidated in October, 1,212 are no longer claiming benefit, with the majority in full-time work or training, said task force bosses.

Almost 250 people have been employed as a direct result of the jobs fairs hosted by the SSI task force, which is being led Chief Executive of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Amanda Skelton, in October and November 2015.

The most recent jobs event was held in January at Middlesbrough College, attended by more than 750 people, and a further event is planned for the middle of next month.

But a battle has been raging about who will be left to pick up the costs of cleaning up the Redcar site - with SSI's Thai owners and the Government eager to avoid a bill which could run to almost £1 billion.

Lord Heseltine in his role a chair of Tees Valley investment fund is leading efforts to bring new employers to the area. So far however, all the veteran Tory peer has been able to confirm is that a new body will be set up to spearhead regeneration efforts.

The Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), modelled on the London Legacy Development Corporation, which is overhauling the former Olympic site in east London, will be led by Tees Valley mayor when they are elected next year.

In the meantime the Official Receiver is about to hand over the steel site to the Government and the process of dismantling the blast furnace and selling off assets begins.

Business Minister Anna Soubry, who is on Teesside today to meet workers affected by the end of production at SSI, said: “The closure of the blast furnace in Redcar was a devastating blow to workers, their families and local communities. Six months on, good progress is being made with people being helped to get back on their feet, learn new skills or get training and find new employment. I know that the SSI task force will continue its efforts supported by this government.

“Through Lord Heseltine’s work on the Tees Valley Inward Investment Initiative, we are also focused on how we can further boost growth and job creation in the region.”

The task force has ensured that the 51 apprentices who's training was interrupted by SSI's closure are in new training schemes or have taken full time employment.

In addition, 246 people have been given initial individual advice as a first step to starting their own business and 56 businesses have been started. People are being helped with developing business plans, sales, marketing, accounting and legal advice. Grants of up to £10,000 are available for new business start-ups.